Traumatic Brain Injury

A Brain Injury is an often never diagnosed at the hospital following an accident. These types of injuries are often misunderstood and overlooked. It is imperative that individuals who sustain brain injuries receive timely access to trauma care, specialized rehabilitation, and expert diagnosis.

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) or mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) is an injury to the brain caused by an external force. Some common causes of a traumatic brain injury include motor vehicle crashes or other events which can produce trauma to the head. In fact, a brain injury can occur without actually hitting your head. In can happen in a common whiplash scenario of a car accident. If you have been in an accident and notice any of these common signs that a brain injury may have occurred seek medical help immediately:

• Loss of consciousness for a few seconds to a few minutes
• A state of being dazed, confused or disoriented
• Memory or concentration problems
• Headache
• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensory problems, such as blurred vision, ringing in the ears or a bad taste in the mouth
• Sensitivity to light or sound
• Mood changes or mood swings
• Feeling depressed or anxious
• Fatigue or drowsiness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Sleeping more than usual
• Profound confusion
• Agitation, combativeness or other unusual behavior
• Slurred speech
• Inability to awaken from sleep
• Weakness or numbness in the extremities
• Loss of coordination
• Loss of bladder control or bowel control
• Persistent headache or headache that worsens
• Repeated vomiting or nausea
• Convulsions or seizures
• Dilation of one or both pupils of the eyes
• Clear fluids draining from the nose or ears

It is important to talk to a doctor or other medical provider immediately if you notice any of the above signs. Asked to be evaluated for a brain injury. Brain Injuries can be diagnosed using several methods. These include CT Scans, MRI and Neuropsychological Testing. However the brain is complex and any one of these tests by themselves may not be adequate to diagnose a brain injury.

If you or someone you love has experienced symptoms that may exhibit a brain injury, then proper medical care is essential. The attorneys at Summe and Summe, PSC have the experience navigating these complex injuries and know what to do to protect your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve.